textproduct: Amarillo

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1219 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

-Elevated to critical fire weather conditions for the central and western Panhandles expected through early this evening.

-Wind Advisory for the western TX Panhandle this afternoon with wind gusts up to 50 mph at times

-Potential elevated to near critical fire weather conditions return to the Panhandles starting Monday of next week.

SHORT TERM

(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 1219 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Latest 19Z obs showing some wind gusts in eastern New Mexico of 40-50 mph as some virga showers develop within the main low amplitude H500 trough axis traversing the eastern New Mexico High Plains. This area of virga showers will enter the Panhandles this afternoon with the potential for some erratic winds at times, but generally winds will shift to westerly with gusts up to 50 mph, especially for the far western Panhandles. Dewpoint values continue to be low, so overall chances of precipitation reaching the surface is very low (under 10%). However, with DCAPE of just under 500 J/kg in eastern New Mexico with said airmass moving into the far western Panhandles, some brief rogue gusts above 50 mph with the highest vertical continuity showers could still be possible through 00Z. Going into this evening, winds will subside as the main trough axis moves east out of the region. Cooler conditions tomorrow with winds subsiding and shifting to northerly. Therefore, cooler temperatures will move into the region for tomorrow with highs ranging from the upper 40s in the northwest Panhandles.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through next Thursday) Issued at 1219 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Dry weather conditions continue into next week. A ridge axis extending north into the Canadian Prairies will continue to bring dry conditions to the Panhandles. We will have to watch for additional fire weather potential, mainly steered by low RH values. Temperatures next week, especially mid week will increase to well above average.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 508 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

VFR sky conditions are forecast at all sites throughout the period. Winds will shift out of the west within the next hour or two at 15-25 kts with higher gusts at times. Winds will subside after sunset at 10-20 kts, until a front shifts winds out of the north-northwest after 06z. Winds should stay out of the north through the end of the period.

Harrel

AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM CST this evening for TXZ001>003- 006>008-011>013-016>018-317.

Wind Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for TXZ001-006-011-016.

OK...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM CST this evening for OKZ001-002.